Searching for that saving grace.

The Airport: The Goodbye Scene

It’s a funny thing that airports have seen more sincere kisses than wedding halls. That the last few minutes two people spend to say goodbye unravels more feelings than the entire duration of their relationship has. That one can find the courage to say something they’ve been hiding in the short amount of time left before it’s time to go. That one person does something they never thought they could do but the impulse was so strong, they just had to do it. Maybe it was the possibility that they’ll never see each other again in who knows how long that pushes them to act. Because only then can a person see someone’s true value.

All around were people saying goodbye. Others not as emotional as some. Others tried to hide it and act nonchalant. But it was there. The feeling. The emotion.

One couple in particular. This was their goodbye scene.

They sat close but there was decent amount of space between them. They were comfortable but not intimate. There was tension. There was hesitation. There was uncertainty.

“You didn’t have to come, you know,” she told him.

“I know. I wanted to,” he replied softly, staring right at her. She smiled and touched his hand. He caught his breath and swore his heart stopped beating for a second. “Thank you,” she said.

He wanted more than anything to hold her in his arms and kiss her, finally know what the taste of her lips were like. But he couldn’t.

A voice then echoed across the room and announced that her flight back home was finally boarding. “That’s me.” She stood up slowly and they both walked to the gate. He pulled her to a halt halfway towards their destination, looking her dead in the eye.

“I’m glad we met, you know.”

“Me too.”

“I just wish-”

“Shh,” she put her finger to his lips and shook her head. “Don’t. We talked about this.”

“Right. Uh, sor-”

“No, shh, just please,” she laughed. “Really, I thought we had an agreement.” He had to grin at that. She was so adorable, so beautiful.

And yes, they did have an agreement. They said they wouldn’t talk about this. That they wouldn’t go further. That they couldn’t act on the feelings that were stirring within them. She wasn’t completely saying no to his advances. She’s saying ‘not now’. And he respected that and he understood. He wasn’t going to rush this because he believes in Elvis and he believes in timing. They weren’t fools. And for that, she is grateful and doesn’t meed him to apologise. They both knew and agreed that the time wasn’t now.

“So, this is it then?” he asked. She merely looked at him and gave him a tight smile. “I hope we meet again soon.” He touched her cheek and her eyes fluttered shut for a second. When she opened them again, he was walking away. She paused for a second before calling out his name and hurried towards him.

He was walking slowly, trying not to think about the way he just left her like that. When he heard his name being called out, he stopped and turned around. That’s when he saw her, already right in front of him. “Wait.”

She knew that she wasn’t going to regret this, what she’s about to do. He was the type of guy of always knew what to say or do. He took action. He didn’t need anyone to tell him what exactly they need. He just knew. And she loved that about him.

She took slow, calming breaths before she spoke. “I know we said we wouldn’t. And I know I was the one who asked. I know we said not now but,” she paused. She hesitated. She suddenly wasn’t sure and looked down at her feet. He took a step forward, tilted her head up by the chin with his fingers. “What, what is it?” He searched her eyes but they were hard to read. He knew she was scared. “Tell me,” he said.

“But can you give me something to hold on to until then?” she whispered.

He didn’t hold back.

He kissed her. He poured in every emotion he felt for her, every little thing he wanted to say but couldn’t, he made it known through that one physical connection. He gave it his all. He didn’t move too fast or too slow. He was patient and remained a gentleman. She in turn felt everything, everything he’d been holding back and she knew this wasn’t a mistake. The kiss would still linger on her lips even after she left and after they said goodbye. It had been sweet yet fiery, gently searing her to the core and giving her a warmth that tingled her every time she remembered it. It wasn’t malicious. It was unguarded. It was pure. It was profound. It was perfect.

And this was one of the most sincerest, most impeccable kisses an airport has seen.